Sefer HaTakanot VeHaskamot, public regulations and halachic customs established by Jerusalem rabbis throughout the generations, by R. Chaim Avraham Gagin. Jerusalem: R. Yisrael Bak, 1842.
Two title pages. The first title page is decorated with a woodcut. The second title page is on leaf [5], after R. Gagin's preface.
The second Hebrew book printed in Jerusalem. Printed in the printing press established by R. Yisrael Bak of Berditchev and Safed, disciple of R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev and R. Yisrael of Ruzhin.
This book is comprised of two parts: the first contains R. Gagin's preface and a long responsum (dated 1824) by R. Shlomo Moshe Suzin regarding the authority of the Beit Din to issue public regulations. The second part includes a compilation of the regulations and customs of Eretz Israel following the order of the four sections of Shulchan Aruch. At the end of the book, approbations dated 1841 and 1842, by rabbis and community officials, according R. Yisrael Bak the exclusive rights to printing in Eretz Israel. The approbations describe how R. Yisrael established a new printing press in Jerusalem after his press in Safed was destroyed by vandals. [There are some copies without the final leaf - approbation from 1842. See Bibliography of the Hebrew Book listing 123175, and Sh. HaLevy, HaSefarim HaIvriim Shenipesu BiYerushalayim, no. 3].
The bibliographer A. Tauber, in his article "History of the Printing Press in Eretz Israel" (Mechkarim Bibliographim, pp. 10-11; Kovetz Yerushalayim - Lechakirat Eretz Israel, Jerusalem 1928, pp. 179-192), posits that the main purpose of this book was to reinforce several controversial public regulations (especially regulations regarding estate and ownership titles). In order to be able to print this book, R. Gagin and the Sephardic community officials encouraged the establishment of R. Yisrael Bak's printing press, intending that this would be the first book to be published there. R. Gagin, who was persecuted by his opponents, initiated the printing of this book in order to answer their contentions. In order that this should not be obvious, R. Gagin instructed R. Yaakov Capiloto and R. Avraham Ashkenazi, two Jerusalemite scholars, to research the customs and ordinances of Eretz Israel, arrange them in the order of the four sections of Shulchan Aruch, and combine them with the responses to those who questioned the abovementioned ordinances.
This book was presumably printed in stages, according to the progress of the abovementioned editors. According to Tauber, the first part of Sefer HaTakanot was already printed in 1841 (before the printing of Avodat HaKodesh, which is recognized as the first Hebrew book printed in Jerusalem). The printing was only concluded after R. Capiloto and R. Ashkenazi completed compiling and editing the second part of the book.
[16], 13-72 leaves. Lacking [4] final leaves (replaced in photocopy). 15 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Worming. Tears repaired with paper. New binding.

Shaarei Dim'a ViYeshua, prayers to be recited at the Western Wall and other holy sites, order of prostration on gravesites of Tzaddikim, and kabbalistic commentary to the Amidah prayer, composed and compiled by R. Aharon Moshe Friedensohn of Slonim. Jerusalem: R. Yisrael Bak, [1861]. Only edition.
The author and compiler, R. Aharon Moshe Friedensohn of Slonim, who immigrated to Jerusalem in 1860, relates in his preface of feelings of desolation which overcame him when he saw the state of the Western Wall, and of his decision to compose a kabbalistic book of prayers. The name of the composition alludes (by numerical value) to his daughter Sarah Hadassah, who died at a young age. R. Aharon Moshe passed away in Jerusalem in 1878.
The title page features an illustration of the site of the Beit HaMikdash, characteristic of R. Yisrael Bak's printing press [the title page of this book was selected to adorn the front cover of Ginzei Yisrael - Catalogue of Dr. Israel Mehlman's book collection, published by the Jewish National and University Library, Jerusalem 1985].
20, 13, 13-16, 16-24 leaves. 16.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Tears to inner margins of title page (and one corner) and to several other leaves, repaired with paper. Minor worming to final leaves. New, fine leather binding.
Sh. HaLevi, no. 59 (listed according to the copy at Jews' College, London).

Sefer Yerushalayim, "providing a summary of the history and characteristics of four holy sites", by Tuvia son of R. Yoel Moshe Salomon. Jerusalem: [Salomon], 1884.
A book about the city of Jerusalem, in particularly small format, "and the son of Zion shall carry it in his bosom always", with illustrations depicting holy sites.
The name of the book ("Yerushalayim") and the borders of some illustrations are printed in gold.
The author, Tuvia Salomon (1862-1951) was a printer, poet, writer and researcher, the son of R. Yoel Moshe Salomon.
[2], 54, [14] pages. 8 cm. Good condition. Stains, dampstains. Minor damage to margins of title page and in a few other places, repaired. Several loose leaves. New leather binding.
Sh. HaLevy, no. 456 (HaLevy notes: "Contains fascinating material about Jerusalem").

Four prayer books printed in Jerusalem:
1. Moadei Hashem UKeri'ei Moed, Part I. Sephardi-rite machzor, for Passover and Shavuot. Includes: Passover Haggadah and Tikkun Leil Shavuot. Jerusalem, [1844].
Variant: The "Blessing for the king or ruler" on p. 51b includes the text "For our master the pious king, his Majesty the Sultan (so-and-so)" [see Sh. HaLevy, no. 20, regarding the three kinds of copies printed, one with a blessing for the sultan Abdulmejid, the second with a blessing for the Queen of England, and the third with an anonymous blessing for "Sultan (so-and-so)"].
2. Yaalezu Chassidim, various prayers to be recited at holy sites and gravesites of Tzaddikim. Jerusalem: Isaac Gościnny and R. Yaakov David Slotky, [1873]. Sh. HaLevy, no. 190.
3. Kuntras Aleh Aryeh, confession and short prayer to be recited every day, by R. Yehuda Aryeh Levitas. Jerusalem: [Michel HaKohen and Isaac Gościnny], [1874]. Sh. HaLevy, no. 223.
4. Selichot UTefillot LeShovavim Tat, according to the custom of Jerusalem. Printed through the efforts of the mashgichim of the holy society, Jerusalem: Gościnny and Slotky, 1874. Small slips of paper containing additional passages for the Selichot pasted to two leaves. Sh. HaLevy, no. 220.
4 books. Size and condition vary. Overall good condition. New, fine bindings.